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Key Figures & Events in the 1980s
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Trudeau re-elected as Prime Minister
After retiring from politics (not wanting to serve as the Leader of Opposition), Trudeau returns to politics after Liberals beat the Conservatives in the 1980 election. -
Terry Fox begins Marathon of Hope
Terry begins his marathon in St. John's and is forced to postpone it after running 5373 km on September 1, after his cancer had spread to his lungs. Today a marathon is held every year in his honour and to raise money for cancer research. -
Quebec Referendum
Parti Quebecoise led by Levesque asked Quebeckers if they wanted to remain a part of Canada or become independent. Thanks to involvment by Trudeau, the referendum was lost by a margin of 19%. -
O Canada becomes the National Anthem
Finally 100 years after the tune was composed and various individuals struggled to make it the national anthem, the Governor General, His Excellency the Right Honourable Edward Schreyer proclaimed the Act respecting the National Anthem of Canada and making it the official symbol of the nation. -
Repatriating the Constitution
After a long struggle, the Constitution Act of 1982 is made official, signed by Queen Elizabeth at a ceremony on Parliament Hill. -
Kitchen Accord
After days of debating no progress had been made regarding an ammending formula for the Constitution Act, so provincial leaders created a secret agreement without the knowledge of Quebec in the kitchen. -
John Turner becomes Prime Minister
John Turner becomes Prime Minister after Trudeau retires. After he calls an immediate election, he faces a huge loss. He attempts to rebuild the party while serving as the Leader of Opposition. -
Mulroney elected as Prime Minister
Mulroney defeats Turner in the election winning the largest majority in Canadian history (211 seats in the House of Commons). -
Rick Hansen: Man In Motion World Tour
Hansen and his team set off on the Man in Motion World Tour completing the equivalent of 3 marathons everyday through 34 countries and raising 26 million dollars for Spinal Chord injury research, rehabilitation, and sport. -
Equality Section of Charter implemented
3 years after the Constitution Act was made official the equality section becomes official. The 3 year period gave governments a chance to change their laws so they followed the Charter. -
Beginning of the Meech Lake Accord
The Meech Lake Accord began to bring Quebec fully into the Constitution, it also included many other reforms to federal spending, senate, immigration, etc. In the end, its failure was caused by the government of Manitoba (Elijah Harper) who did not accept it by the time limit, and the government of Newfoundland who failed to vote on it. -
Creation of the Loonie
The loonie was first minted on June 30th 1987 and soon became an iconic symbol of Canadian money. -
Winter Olympics (Calgary)
The Winter Olympics in Calgary boosted Canadian nationalism, Canadians were proud of their medal winning athletes such as Elizabeth Manley and Brian Orser who won silver for figure skating and Karen Percy who won bronze in women’s down hill.
